News Desk |
Veteran Pakistan actor Javed Sheikh stated that he would have been in the latest Bollywood movie ‘Veere Di Wedding’ had there not been a ban on Pakistani actors in India. The film, however, is banned in Pakistan for its inappropriate content.
Javed Sheikh informed that Anil Kapoor contacted him a year ago to play Kareena Kapoor’s father in the movie.
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“I was approached by Anil Kapoor’s office over a year ago to play the role of Kareena’s father in the film,” said Sheikh while talking to media.
He added that he had several meetings with the directors and producers of the film. Javed Sheikh has appeared in several Indian films earlier, including 2007’s Om Shanti Om.
He informed that shooting dates were fixed and even his wardrobe was already. The directors, and producers, however, later delayed the shoots due to Kareena Kapoor’s pregnancy.
He said that by the time of Kareena’s delivery, the India-Pakistan ties worsened and the Indian film fraternity imposed a ban on Pakistani artists working in Bollywood.
“My shooting dates had been set and my wardrobe was also ready, however, the shooting dates were changed as Kareena or the whole crew decided that it was difficult to shoot while she was expecting,” Sheikh added.
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He continued, “However, by the time Kareena delivered her baby relations between Pakistan and India had worsened and the producers association there decided against casting Pakistani actors.”
Sheikh, however, hopes that the relations will improve between the two countries soon. He said, “Things are moving in the right direction but will get better”.
He said that Pakistani directors are still casting Indian actors in their movies despite a ban on Pakistani actors in India.
Aditya Singh is playing a lead role in Wujood and we hope this positive news goes there and they reconsider the ban on Pakistani talent,” he said.
“The exchange of talent should never be stopped” Sheikh concluded, “We [actors] are ambassadors of peace”.